UPDATE OF SERVICES 

Calling hours will be Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 2-4 PM at the Funeral Home.

Bernard "Pop Bernie" Egnasher, 94, of Valatie NY, passed peacefully at the apartment where he had lived independently for 13 years, surrounded by his loving family. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War as an infantryman and scout, achieving the rank of Corporal-T. Bernie was an avid outdoorsman who spent many years in the Adirondacks, hunting and fishing with his father-in-law, Arthur Locke. Many wonderful stories have been told over the years about those adventures.

Everyone who knew Bernie knew he loved gardening and he would have seed trays and plants everywhere. Later in life, his passion for growing flowers led him to providing local florists with his beautiful blooms. He also decided to become a painter after the age of 60 and his apartment was full of his artwork: landscapes with animals, flowers of all kinds and some whimsical. He was very humble about his art, never thinking it was that great, but his family considered him the Claude Monet of Valatie.

Christmas Eve on Kinderhook Street was Bernie's favorite time of year. His children and grandchildren (well into adulthood) anxiously awaited that night when Santa would walk up the sidewalk to visit and bring his special stocking full of goodies and a huge dash of humor and laughter.

Bernie is survived by his 4 daughters, Laurie (Patrick) Carr, Lonie (Jim) Sharp, Tamara (Michael) Kipp, Tonya (Leigh) Alpart; his grandchildren, Jake (Jen) Samascott, Andy Wilson, (Kayla's husband), Jody Samascott and Luke Samascott, Erika Kipp (Jesse Wright), Garrett (Emily) Kipp, Monique (Derek) Riethmiller, Shawn (Michelle) Balint, Leanna Balint, and his great grandchildren, Brooke and Hunter Wilson, MacKenzie, Riley and Taylor Samascott, Ren and Finn Sharp, Wesley and Ryder Riethmiller, Rosie and Griffin Kipp, many dear nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his dear friend of almost 80 years, Lois Merwin and her children and grandchildren whom he considered family, and his dear niece, Lois Bertram.

Bernie, the youngest of 8 children of Agnes and Joseph Egnasher, was predeceased by his parents and all of his siblings: Mary (Henry) Fisher, Joseph (Mary) Egnasher, Elizabeth (Bud) Goca, Antoinette (Frank) Endryck, Frances (Joe) Brosky, Martin Egnasher, Walter (Anastasia) Egnasher, Paul (Betty) Egnasher and his granddaughter, Kayla Samascott Wilson.

The family would like to thank Leanna Balint for her encouragement and offering her love and medical expertise to bring Pop Bernie home to pass with family present. The family would also like to thank Community Hospice of the Capital District for their prompt services to bring Bernie home quickly; it was the greatest gift. They would also like to thank Lori Weaver for her kindness and support whenever needed over the years. We are so touched by the many who have said, "Everybody loves Bernie." We will miss him so much.

Calling Hours will be Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 2 - 4 PM at the funeral home. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Please remember Bernie with a smile. If you'd like to make a donation in Bernie's memory, please consider The Valatie Santa Claus Club, Community Hospice of the Capital District or the Columbia Greene Humane Society.